January 2015 continued the trend that was noticeable throughout the fall and winter of 2014, and that was declining housing sales.

Remember, last winter was the polar vortex with record cold blasts and the second highest seasonal snowfall ever.

This January closings, for the most part, would have gone under contract in November and December of 2014. Chicago recorded no snowfall in December and moderate temperatures.

From the Illinois Association of Realtors:

The city of Chicago saw sales of 1,295 homes in January 2015, down 8.3 percent from last year. The median price of a home in Chicago was $222,000, up 11.0 percent over January 2014.

Sales Data Since 2006 (thanks to G for the older data):

January 2006: 2009 sales and median price of $258,000

January 2007: 1850 sales and median price of $279,900

January 2008: 1203 sales and median price of $290,000

January 2009: 918 sales and median price of $205,000

January 2010: 1237 sales and median price of $195,000

January 2011: 1034 sales and median price of $150,000

January 2012: 1123 sales and median price of $149,000

January 2013: 1521 sales and median price of $157,000

January 2014: 1383 sales and median price of $200,750

January 2015: 1295 sales and median price of $222,000

“Families and professionals have a strong desire to buy a home yet a full market recovery continues to be stalled by the limited homes for sale. Buyer demand on lower inventory is pushing up prices to offer sellers an incentive,” said Hugh Rider, president of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and co-president of Realty & Mortgage Co. “With the winter thaw, we expect to see increased market growth as more homebuyers and homeowners see the opportunity to make the most of currently low interest rates.”

“Once again prices and sales moved in opposite directions in January with the sales decline attributed to a lower completion rate for homes under contract in December,” said Geoffrey J.D. Hewings, director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at the University of Illinois. “In addition, foreclosure sales declined while sales of regular properties were almost the same as January 2014.”

Mortgage rates remain considerably below last year’s level. The average 30-year mortgage was 3.66% in January 2015 compared to 4.46% a year ago.

In January 2014, the IAR blamed the weather for the decline in sales. But sales declined every month last year except one.

This 1-bedroom in The Eddystone at 421 W. Melrose in Lakeview came on the market in May 2014.

The Eddystone was built in 1929 and as you can guess from the date, that proved problematic.

Designed by Holabird & Root, it was originally supposed to take up most of a city block and encompass over 2,000 apartments around a central courtyard.

However, the stock market crash intervened and portions of the building were abandoned by the developer. The current building was all that was built.

It now has just 77 units on 22 floors.

But the vintage grandeur is still there.

This 1-bedroom unit has the large rooms associated with buildings of this era and includes a full-sized dining room and a 10×10 foyer. The foyer is almost larger than many bedrooms we’ve chattered about in other newer buildings.

While the fireplace is decorative, the unit has extensive crown molding, herringbone floors, barrel vaulted ceilings and arched doorways.

The kitchen has white cabinets with a Subzero refrigerator, stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops.

While it has in-unit washer/dryer there is no central air (it has window units).

Parking is also leased.

The listing says it will escrow $10,000 for a special assessment on the windows over the next 12 months. The listing says it has north, south, east and west exposures.

Originally listed in May for $245,000, it has been reduced to $225,000.